大般涅槃經集解 10.129

10.129

案僧亮曰：答問復以何因緣得大堅固力也。下文舉護法為因也。僧宗曰：答因中有四段。第一列三種章門，所謂護法引證開制也；第二廣此三也；第三明末代通法人也；第四明不但通經，亦協通律為化也。寶亮曰：就此答中，大分為三：第一總答，以護法為因也。第二佛自引證，我昔親行此因也。第三從持正法者不受五戒，廣辨護法之相也。護法者，不出二途：一者據萬行為端，自守戒行任持在心；二者不顧形命，但使法弘也。若能弘建立之心令惡改而法通者，故佛於下文歎護法者自利利人之功勝也。智秀曰：大分此答為兩段，第一舉問求答、第二正答也。答中又有二別：一略、二廣也。此即大分中之第一，舉問求答也。

Sengliang comments: Answering the question of what cause and condition leads to obtaining great steadfast power. The text below adduces protecting the Dharma as the cause. Sengzong says: In the answer regarding the cause, there are four sections. First, it lists three chapter headings, namely protecting the Dharma, citing evidence, and permission and prohibition; second, it elaborates on these three; third, it clarifies the persons who propagate the Dharma in the final age; fourth, it clarifies that they not only propagate the sūtras, but also jointly propagate the Vinaya for conversion. Baoliang says: In this reply, it is broadly divided into three: First, a general reply, taking protecting the Dharma as the cause. Second, the Buddha himself adduces evidence, stating that he himself practiced this cause in the past. Third, from 'those who uphold the true Dharma do not receive the five precepts', it broadly distinguishes the marks of protecting the Dharma. Protecting the Dharma does not exceed two paths: first, basing on the myriad practices as the starting point, personally keeping moral conduct and maintaining it in the mind; second, disregarding physical life, desiring only to let the Dharma flourish. If one can generate a mind of broad establishment so that evil is reformed and the Dharma is promulgated, therefore the Buddha in the following text praises the merits of protecting the Dharma in benefiting oneself and others as supreme. Zhixiu says: This reply is broadly divided into two sections: first, presenting the question to seek an answer; second, the direct answer. Within the answer, there are also two distinctions: first, brief; second, extensive. This is the first of the broad division, presenting the question to seek an answer.